Symonds' return a boost for Marussia

Timo Glock expects Pat Symonds' clearance to return to the Formula 1 paddock in 2013 to be a major boost to Marussia.

Symonds was banned from F1 in the wake of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix scandal, in which he was one of those held responsible for Nelson Piquet being asked to deliberately crash his Renault to trigger a safety car that would help team-mate Fernando Alonso win.

Although not permitted to attend grands prix in that period, Symonds was given clearance to work as a consultant to F1 teams - a role he has performed for Marussia.

Symonds played a key role in Benetton and Renault's championships with Michael Schumacher and Alonso, and Glock cannot wait to have his expertise on hand in the pitlane.

"We know that we have to improve on-track as well," Glock told AUTOSPORT.

"I think there is a lot of stuff where we need to be better. On the engineering side we need to be better everywhere. It doesn't mean we are bad at the moment, but to move on you need to improve.

"To have Pat at the races will definitely help because he has so much experience, can step back and have a look from the outside, and he's won championships.

"He can just get into it and we can improve it together. I hope he'll be at as many [races] as possible."

Glock added that he was already enjoying working with Symonds.

"We have a very good relationship. He's good fun, he knows what he's talking about and we've got the right people together," he said.

The German believes Marussia has plenty of cause for optimism going into 2013.

"The new car looks not too bad," said Glock. "It's all on target, which is great. And it's had more windtunnel time. We are flat-out on it."